Nepal earthquakes aid appeal

A charity dinner in aid of the Nepal earthquake appeal aims to raise as much money as possible to help victims in the ravaged country after a second earthquake hit on Tuesday.

The Indian dinner at Lancaster town hall is being organised by the Lancaster and Morecambe Hindu Society, and now more than ever, the community needs to come together and donate to help the people of Nepal.

President of the society Harsha Shukla said: “This is one human tragedy and everyone needs to come together and support the victims.

“Everyone cannot afford a huge amount, but if every household could afford £1 to donate to the appeal, its not asking much.

“I feel very passionate that every community needs to do something. It’s something to do jointly and if everyone comes together we can help.

“Its from one human to another human - when disaster strikes it is irrespective of peoples’ religion.

“As long as we get the money it goes to a good worthy cause.

“Together we can make a difference.”

The event on June 13 starts at 6.30pm in the banqueting suite at Lancaster town hall.

Tickets are available by emailing hindusociety2004@lancaster.yahoo.co.uk or by phoning Harsha Shukla on 07738 707886.

A major earthquake struck eastern Nepal, near Mount Everest, two weeks after more than 8,000 people died in a devastating quake.

At least 48 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, officials said.

At least 17 have also died in India. The latest earthquake hit near the town of Namche Bazaar and sent thousands of panicked residents on to the streets of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu.

It had a magnitude of 7.3, compared with the 7.8 of the 25 April quake.

The quake was felt in northern India, Tibet and Bangladesh. India’s home ministry said 16 people had been killed in the state of Bihar, and one more in Uttar Pradesh. Officials in China said one person was confirmed dead in Tibet.

Rescue helicopters have been sent to districts east of Kathmandu that are believed to be worst hit. Police in Charikot, 80km north-east of the capital, said 20 people had died there.

There are fears that many of the buildings in Kathmandu are unsafe.

The US military said a Marine Corps helicopter involved in disaster relief efforts had gone missing.